I keep trynnna tell you this. It ain't true. If an engine overheats without a stat it is NOT because "it goes through the radiator" too quick. However, you are right in one respect.......a stat, a good one, should be in place.
I have found it to be true in a 440 powered Demon. I blocked the bypass in the water pump housing, had a fan shroud, good fan, cut vent holes in the fender wells, tried a 160 and no t-stat while running a 4 core Mopar radiator. The car would get hot in the drive thru etc. After I installed a 195 degree t-stat I had no more issues. Water passing through the radiator too quickly does not have time to "radiate" / dissipate the heat.
Another solution would have been an electric fan but at that time they were not as affordable or reliable. After installing the 195 it never got over 180 on the gauge. In a smaller engine the thermostat will probably take longer to cycle as it takes longer to heat the water in the block. Letting the water pause while in the radiator makes a big difference in how much heat is transferred.
